The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has announced the appointment of IAATO stalwart Lisa Kelley as Executive Director.
Lisa, who has been involved with the IAATO since 2003, most recently as deputy executive director, will lead IAATO’s secretariat and work with the organisation’s executive committee to further the association’s mission of advocating and promoting safe, environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica.
John McKeon, IAATO Executive Committee Chair, said: “I am delighted to confirm Lisa Kelley as IAATO’s Executive Director. With more than 20 years in the industry, most of which has been spent actively contributing to and evolving the association’s mission and vision to address emerging challenges, IAATO has in Lisa an experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated leader.”
A committed member of the polar expedition industry since 2000, Lisa has worked as an undersea specialist, logistics coordinator, dive master and expedition leader in both the Arctic and the Antarctic. She began contributing to IAATO’s mission and vision 21 years ago when she first represented operators at the association’s 2004 annual meeting. She has also served as station manager at Palmer Station for the United States Antarctic Program during the austral winter of 2010.
Lisa joined IAATO full-time in 2016, taking responsibility for the field operations aspect of the organisation and developing industry best practices and guidelines for operations in the field. Since then, she has led IAATO Member Operations and Government Affairs, including heading up IAATO’s delegation at the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. She became Deputy Executive Director in 2020.
She said: “I have had the privilege of being part of IAATO’s enduring mission for over 20 years, working within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System to connect people with the region while protecting its unique environment.
“I am honoured to now have the opportunity to lead the association I have been so passionate about for almost the entirety of my polar career and to work with its experienced membership and dedicated secretariat to evolve responsible tourism practices while continuing to preserve this pristine environment.”
Lisa formally takes up the post today, December 19, succeeding former ED Gina Greer, who left IAATO in October following almost five years at the helm, including navigating the organisation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the creation of IAATO’s Five-Year Strategic Plan. IAATO thanks Gina for her invaluable contributions to the association’s mission and wishes her the very best for the future.